I Tested NASA’s New Space Suit (Ft. Axiom Space)

I Tested NASA’s New Space Suit (Ft. Axiom Space)

Axiom Space is developing a new spacesuit for NASA’s Artemis III mission to the Moon in 2026. The suit will provide enhanced protection, flexibility, and range of motion for astronauts, allowing them to stay outside on the lunar surface for longer periods. The new suit is part of a new generation of spacesuits designed to be more sustainable and cost-effective, with the goal of reducing the cost of space travel and making it more accessible. The spacesuit is a complex and marvel of human engineering, composed of multiple layers that work together to contain the atmosphere and protect the astronaut from harm. Astronauts must learn to move in specific ways while wearing the suit, and the production of space suits is a labor-intensive process that relies heavily on human precision and craftsmanship. The new suit is being tested to ensure its safety and effectiveness for future interplanetary travel.

Term Definition Example Usage
Axiom Space A private aerospace company developing advanced spacesuits for NASA missions. “Axiom Space is working on a new spacesuit for the Artemis III mission to the Moon.”
Artemis III NASA’s mission to return humans to the lunar surface by 2026. “The new spacesuit is being developed for NASA’s Artemis III mission to the Moon.”
Interplanetary travel Travel between planets, especially in our solar system. “The new suit is being tested to ensure its safety and effectiveness for future interplanetary travel.”
Labor-intensive Requiring a lot of manual work or effort. “The production of space suits is a labor-intensive process that relies heavily on human precision and craftsmanship.”
Range of motion The extent of movement of a joint or a series of joints. “The new suit will provide enhanced protection, flexibility, and range of motion for astronauts.”
Sustainable Able to be maintained or supported without harming the environment. “The new suit is part of a new generation of spacesuits designed to be more sustainable and cost-effective.”
Atmosphere The layer of gases surrounding the Earth or other celestial bodies. “The spacesuit is composed of multiple layers that work together to contain the atmosphere and protect the astronaut from harm.”
Celestial body A natural object in space, such as a planet, moon, or star. “The new suit is being developed for NASA’s mission to the lunar surface, a celestial body.”
Craftsmanship The quality of being skillfully made or done. “The production of space suits relies heavily on human precision and craftsmanship.”
Generation A group of people or things born or produced at about the same time. “The new suit is part of a new generation of spacesuits designed to be more sustainable and cost-effective.”


Vocabulary Quiz

Choose the correct answer for each question.

  1. The new spacesuit will provide enhanced protection for astronauts. What does “protection” mean in this context?

    • The act of moving freely
    • The state of being safe from harm
    • The ability to travel long distances
    • The process of making something sustainable

  2. The new spacesuit is designed to be more sustainable. What does “sustainable” mean in this context?

    • Capable of withstanding extreme temperatures
    • Able to be used for a long time without harming the environment
    • Having a high level of flexibility
    • Requiring a lot of human labor to produce

  3. The production of space suits is a labor-intensive process. What does “labor-intensive” mean in this context?

    • Requiring a lot of money to produce
    • Requiring a lot of human effort and time to produce
    • Using a lot of advanced technology
    • Having a high level of automation

  4. Astronauts must learn to move in specific ways while wearing the suit, and the production of space suits relies heavily on human craftsmanship. What does “craftsmanship” mean in this context?

    • The ability to work well with machines
    • The skill and quality of work shown by a skilled worker
    • The ability to work in a team
    • The ability to work quickly and efficiently

  5. The new suit is being tested to ensure its effectiveness for future interplanetary travel. What does “effectiveness” mean in this context?

    • The ability to travel long distances
    • The ability to withstand extreme temperatures
    • The degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result
    • The ability to move freely

Answer Key

  1. b. The state of being safe from harm
  2. b. Able to be used for a long time without harming the environment
  3. b. Requiring a lot of human effort and time to produce
  4. b. The skill and quality of work shown by a skilled worker
  5. c. The degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result



Passive Voice and the Use of the Present and Past Participles

The text features the use of passive voice, particularly in the form of present and past participles. The present participle (e.g., “being tested”) is used to describe an action that is ongoing, whereas the past participle (e.g., “designed”) is used to describe an action that has been completed. The use of passive voice allows the writer to emphasize the action rather than the doer, which is particularly useful in formal or technical writing. For example, “The new suit is being tested” emphasizes the action of testing, rather than who is doing the testing.
  1. Which of the following is an example of the present participle in the text?
    1. designed
    2. being tested
    3. developed
    4. composed
  2. Why is the use of passive voice particularly useful in formal or technical writing?
    1. To emphasize the doer of the action
    2. To emphasize the action rather than the doer
    3. To make the writing more informal
    4. To make the writing more complex
  3. Which of the following sentences uses the passive voice?
    1. Axiom Space is developing a new spacesuit.
    2. The new suit is being tested.
    3. Astronauts must learn to move in specific ways while wearing the suit.
    4. The spacesuit is a complex and marvel of human engineering.
  4. What is the function of the past participle “designed” in the text?
    1. To describe an ongoing action
    2. To describe an action that has been completed
    3. To describe a future action
    4. To describe a hypothetical action
  5. What is the purpose of using the present participle “being tested” in the text?
    1. To describe a completed action
    2. To describe an ongoing action
    3. To describe a future action
    4. To describe a hypothetical action

Answer Key:

1. B) being tested
2. B) To emphasize the action rather than the doer
3. B) The new suit is being tested.
4. B) To describe an action that has been completed
5. B) To describe an ongoing action

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